Teaching your little one about personal hygiene

As parents, there is so much that you do for your child. Packing their lunch, doing endless amounts of laundry, helping with homework and reading them stories before bed, all whilst trying to teach them to be a good and hardworking person; it seems the work never ends! Personal hygiene is one of many that becomes a lot more important as your child gets older given that they will have to take care of themselves at some point in their lives. It is heavily critical as it is at the root of overall health. By taking care of yourself daily, you can prevent many unwanted conditions such as dry skin, tooth decay, viruses and fungal infections. Here are some tips on teaching your little one about personal hygiene, as advised by this nursery school in Twickenham.

Start from a young age

Teaching children about personal hygiene isn’t something that needs to be delayed to a certain age, it can be done as soon as you know that they understand you and why you do things. Begin by explaining the importance of hygiene and grooming to your child. When you are bathing them, combing their hair, trimming their nails or even helping them brush their teeth, you can briefly explain why these acts are so important to do on a regular basis. As your child grows and tries to complete these acts independently, encourage them when they are doing well and show them how they can improve where needed.

Be the best role model

One of the best ways to teach new habits to your little one, is by openly implementing them into your own life first. If your child notices you slacking when it comes to brushing your teeth or taking regular showers, they will grow to believe that it is acceptable to do so. By setting an example, your child will be able to grow their own habits too.

Explain the importance

If your child ever asks you why they need to wash their hands so often or brush their teeth morning and night, try not to brush them off or give them simple answers. Take some time to explain that small acts that seem meaningless right now will ensure that they avoid bigger illnesses that could crop up in the future. It is also a means for self-care which is important for young ones to pick up to help them feel more comfortable with themselves as they grow up.

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